SHE may compete in the under-16 age group but St George thrower Grace Robinson ranks as Australia's top junior shot-put athlete.
The Bethany College student's undefeated run of form continued when she won the Australian U16 shot-put and discus events at the Australian Junior Championships earlier this month.
She threw a meet record of 14.66m in the shot-put and her throw of 16.05 at the recent NSW junior championships resulted in her throwing further than the 15 metres needed to qualify for the upcoming World Youth Championships in Ukraine.
Although she is the No. 1 ranked Australian junior thrower, her age restricts her from competing at that international event.
Her coach Ray Russell said Robinson's performances had been amazing.
"She has been defeated once since she was nine in shot-put and hasn't been defeated since the under-12s," Russell said.
"The girls who are going to represent Australia at the world championships didn't throw as far as Grace. The Australian coaches are interested in Grace and see her as a future champion. She seems to keep improving each year which is outstanding."
Russell pointed to Robinson's explosive power which sets her apart from her rivals.
Robinson won the recent Australian shot-put title by almost two metres.
"We are looking at big things from her in the future," Russell said. "I don't know if she'll be ready by the [2016] Rio Olympics but there's no doubt she should be in the Olympics after that. Throwers don't hit their peak until they are 24-25."
Robinson holds four Australian records, including breaking one of renowned thrower Dani Samuels's mark.
She will compete at the Junior Olympics in China later this year.
